And dogs that hunt...

It looks like the good ole’ boys in the Mississippi State House have decided to take a stand against the Turkish boys by introducing and addressing some very specific charter school concerns in House Bill 369 -- a companion bill to the recently passed charter school bill, Senate Bill 2189.House Bill 369 would further supplement Senate Bill 2189, by adding additional limitations, including a very explicit restriction: "Bar foreign organizations from running charter schools and foreign teachers on limited visas from working there. Moore (Rep. John Moore) said that provision was to protect against "outside influences." A Turkish Muslim group operates more than 100 charter schools in at least 25 states."We like the moxie that the Mississippi legislators’ exhibit – especially since they’re one of the few states that has actually investigated the Gulenites, instead of merely rubber stamping their charter school applications and emptying their state tax coffers into Gulen’s pockets. Perhaps the legislators in Mississippi have more than hush-puppies and catfish to offer – like integrity.The legislators in Mississippi unmistakably have a dog in this fight, and it’s on the hunt for fraud and deception ala Gulen-style.Below is an article from The Commerical Appeal about Mississippi House Bill 369:The Commerical AppealMississippi House will consider its own charter school plan By Jeff Amy, Associated Press Posted January 21, 2013 at 7:48 p.m.

JACKSON, Miss. -- State House members are poised to take up their own version of charter school legislation.House Education Committee Chairman John Moore said Monday that his panel would take up the House legislation Tuesday morning.Moore, a Brandon Republican, said the full House could debate the measure Wednesday or Thursday, if it passes committee. The Senate passed a charter school bill last week.Charter schools are public schools that agree to meet certain standards in exchange for freedom from regulations. Proponents say charter schools can improve academic achievement, especially among low-performing students. Opponents, though, fear charters will weaken traditional schools by skimming motivated students and money.House Bill 369, introduced Monday, would allow broad expansion of charter schools. Current Mississippi law allows a small number of existing schools to convert to charters, but none have done so.Like Senate Bill 2189, the House bill would set up a seven-member board to approve charter schools and oversee them, with three members appointed by the governor, three members appointed by the lieutenant governor and one member appointed by the state superintendent.However, the House measure contains some differences from the Senate's measure. It would:Limit charters to 15 a year.Require districts rated "A," "B" and "C" to approve charters in their districts, unlike the Senate version, which doesn't give that veto to C-rated districts.Block students from crossing district lines to attend charter schools, unless they get a transfer under the current system, which requires the school board of the sending and receiving district to approve the switch.Bar foreign organizations from running charter schools and foreign teachers on limited visas from working there. Moore said that provision was to protect against "outside influences." A Turkish Muslim group operates more than 100 charter schools in at least 25 states.Give historically black colleges and universities preference in seeking charters.Allow schools to contract with online providers for classes, with authorizing board approval. The House bill does not specifically ban all-online schools, as the Senate version does.